Elder Abuse Hotline: To report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, or those 60 or older who are being hurt or taken advantage of by someone you know, call toll-free 1-800-963-5337 or 1-800-962-2873. Sponsored by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

SHINE Program Assists Seniors with Health Insurance: The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers the free SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) at the following locations in Hernando County:

No appointments necessary (unless otherwise noted). For information or for counseling locations outside Hernando County, call the Elder Hotline toll-free at 1-800-262-2243.

Weight Watchers: For area meetings, call toll-free 1-800-651-6000.

Brooksville

Caregiver Support Group: 1 to 2 p.m. Thursdays, the Grande, 725 Desoto Ave. Provided by HPH Hospice, the program is designed to assist caregivers with their daily tasks. Facilitated by a hospice social worker. No registration required. (352) 597-1882.

CoDA (Co-Dependents Anonymous): Words of Wisdom group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 15464 Cortez Blvd. The purpose of this program is for the development of healthy relationships and the building of self-esteem. E-mail to [email protected]

Hernando Gift Room: This free service, provided by the American Cancer Society, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at 14540 Cortez Blvd., Suite 203, in the Pinebrook Regional Medical Center, west of Brooksville. The Gift Room provides uninsured and under-insured patients with free wigs, hats and head coverings (scarves, kerchiefs, beanies and knitted caps), prosthesis and mastectomy bras, as well as emotional support for people going through chemotherapy. To learn more, call the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Life Center of Hernando: This is a residence for young, single mothers and their children who are homeless or have unstable living conditions. A variety of life skills classes are available at no cost, including: Money management and consumer awareness, survival skills, food management, childhood development, interpersonal skills and hygiene and health. Seminars are offered on topics such as time management, couponing, basic money management, nutrition and household fire and safety. Classes are offered at the residence from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturday classes, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., focus on cooking and crafting skills. For location information, class schedules and to reserve a spot in one of the classes, contact Angela Welsh, (917) 578-6954; also, those wishing to volunteer in teaching a class should contact Welsh. For other volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, email to [email protected] Web: lifecenterofhernando.com or facebook.com/thelifecenterofhernando.

Alzheimer's program for caregivers: 2 to 3:30 p.m. today and Aug. 21, HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd. This is a two-part program with topics that include how the disease changes communications and dealing with difficult behaviors. Free. Seating is limited; advance registration required. Carla Hayes, (352) 597-1882.

Caregivers Day Out: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 9344 Spring Hill Drive. Provided by Community Aging and Retirement Services, the program offers a fun, supervised atmosphere for individuals with memory challenges, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia, while caregivers take some time off. There is no cost for first-time participants; subsequent days are $20. CARES is a nonprofit organization that provides services to meet the needs of older persons and their families in west-central Florida. Dianne, (352) 686-2614, or Chris Powers, (727) 862-9291, exts. 2002 or 2040.

Crescent Community Clinic: The clinic, 5244 Commercial Way (Winchester Plaza), provides primary medical, dental and mental health services to uninsured adults ages 18-64 who meet the federal poverty guidelines. Those wishing to receive services from the nonprofit, volunteer-staffed clinic must first apply for services. To apply, potential patients must visit the website at crescentclinic.org and download the application on the first page. The clinic is staffed by volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. For information, call (352) 610-9916. Potential patients are not to call the office for appointments.

Hospice Bereavement Support Group: 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, HPH Hospice, 12260 Cortez Blvd. This is an ongoing bereavement support group for adults grieving the death of a loved one. There is no cost and no reservations required. Toll-free 1-800-486-8784. Web: hph-hospice.org.

Moving On: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Perkins Family Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way. This is a self-help support group for seniors who have difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one. Marilyn, (352) 593-4736, or Rita, (352) 684-3916.

National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando: Support groups, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays; 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Beautiful Mind Outreach Center, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. There are two separate meetings; one for those with mental illnesses, the other for family members. Call the Beautiful Mind, (352) 684-0004. Web: namihernandofl.org or NAMI.org.

Overeaters Anonymous: 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd. Option coffee and fellowship will follow the meeting. This is a newly-formed group. Ann, (352) 346-6962, or Julie, (352) 688-2877. New Beginnings group, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, also at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Nettie, (352) 556-5485. This is a 12-step program for those suffering from compulsive overeating. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins for this support group.

PFLAG Hernando: 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26, Spring Hill United Church of Christ, 4244 Mariner Blvd. This is a support group for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Hernando County. Meetings are on the fourth Monday of each month. Visit PFLAG Hernando on Facebook, the website at pflaghernando.org, call (352) 234-6702 or send email to [email protected]

Overeaters Anonymous: Bridge to Serenity group, 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. This is a 12-step program for those suffering from compulsive overeating. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins for this support group. Belinda, (352) 293-3455.

Send information for the Health and Support column to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613; fax to (352) 754-6133; or email [email protected] Deadline for this news is two weeks before event or reservation deadline. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket price (if applicable) or contact person and phone number are missing. For information, call (352) 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Quit smoking program

The Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center will offer "Tools to Quit," a one-time, two-hour program that helps participants plan their quitting process, establish goals and learn strategies to help them succeed. Four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) is also available through the program, which will be offered on the following days:

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